Speed Cameras in Newcastle switched off
Newcastle has 14 speed cameras – but none of them work. Some have been switched off since 2007, but Council boss Barry Rowland managed to get a ticket the one time they were tested.
Speed cameras – certainly many of them – are nothing more than tax generators. But if you live, or travel, in Newcastle, then speed cameras have contributed virtually nothing – they’ve all been switched off for up to four years.
Newcastle has a total of fourteen speed cameras, but to save money the local council has had them all switched off for the last two years, and some of them haven’t worked for four years in a secret, money-saving exercise.
Some of the cameras have never even been wired in, and others were installed and then switched off so Newcastle council didn’t have to spend money putting up the required signs to warn motorists.
Ironically, the one time some of the cameras were switched on to test they were still working, local council boss Barry Rowland managed to get a ticket. Which, if nothing else, shows how hush-hush the arrangement was.
All this has come to light because Newcastle plans to switch its cameras on this week, so local motorists – who probably though the speed cameras were working anyway – have been warned the free ride is about to come to an end.
A mildly amusing story, but it did get us wondering just how many other councils have switched off their cameras to save money, or for other reasons.
Last year Swindon switched off its cameras and saw a reduction in casualties, although small (down from 327 to 315) it does show that many speed cameras were put in just to generate revenue, with little or no thought for safety.
And earlier this year Avon and Somerset turned off its speed cameras after budget cuts meant they couldn’t justify the cost.
Isn’t it about time we looked again at speed cameras? They still proliferate where they garner revenue and seem to be missing from areas that could really benefit. Speed cameras pop up more and more on motorways – the UK’s safest roads – but are missing from many roads where traffic is light but speeds are excessive.
Something for the new Minister of Transport, Justine Greening.
Source: Chronicle Live
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